[sarathlal]

Honda introduces the 6th gen Honda Odyssey, at the Detroit auto show



Odyssey is hands down, one of the most practical car I had ever had. With kids, it is a wonder machine that takes away a bunch load of parenthood worry from you.
Each and every aspect of the car being built with family in mind. Minute details like electrically powered read slide doors, convenient bucket seats, amazingly spacious third row, and very easily removable seats. Each and every seat (except the front) can be easily removed and added back, making vacuuming the entire car a breeze.

Now, when the 2017 models were announced, and especially with the success of the new Pilot, it was little difficult to believe that Honda kept the 2017 Odyssey the same. But no more!
In the Detroit auto show, Honda had finally announced the 6th generation Honda Odyssey. And it comes with a bunch of "Honda firsts'

Here is a summary of points which is noticeably new compared to the outgoing model.

• The same 3.6 L 6 cylinder engine now produces 280 hp, from the earlier 248.
• Honda introducing its 10 speed auto box with the Odyssey.
• Honda introducing 'Magic slide'. The middle seats slide further towards each other now.
• Honda introducing "Cabin Watch'. An infrared camera that provides the cabin view!
• Honda introducing "Cabin Talk'. Driver(Mostly the father) can talk(:P) to the passengers(li'll kiddos) in the back over the rear speakers.
• 2018 Odyssey uses steel-magnesium-aluminum body combo.
• An overall 100 pound reduction in weight.
• Front grille modified to look like the other Honda's.
• A set of apps bundled in.

Source: Honda.

Here are some more pics.

[NPV]

By far, the Honda Odyssey has been one of the best family vans (minivan), extremely spacious and comfortable for the entire family and the kids will just love it.
I liked the "Magic Slide" feature of the middle seats - gives so much flexibility and the ideal mix of captain seats and full row seats

Here's another link and the video there shows the Magic Slide in action.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by sarathlal

Honda introducing its 10 speed auto box with the Odyssey.

10-speed is frankly excessive. But manufacturers are only doing this for:

1. Government fuel-efficiency requirements. Super tall 8th - 10th ratios will bring excellent highway FE. But these won't really used by anyone driving on regular urban roads.

2. Marketing! 10-speed AT sounds nice in ads.

Important to note that Minivan sales are falling in the USA (and most other parts of the world). Reason = SUVs & Crossovers that offer comparable space & practicality with superior looks / image.

2005 sales = 1.1 million. 2016 = About half that at 6 lakh.

A long ways from the 1.1 million minivans sold in 2005, U.S. sales of sliding-door people carriers are on track to rise to a nine-year high of more than 600,000 units in calendar year 2016.

Source & Full Article

[sarathlal]

True on the failing sales part. There are not much mini vans on the road compared to the muscular SUV's.

But all that change once you enter a school compound
Suddenly the civics and camrys are dwarfed by the Siennas and Odysseys

I think the make or break of this segment depends on who gets there first;
Minivans bringing more of the 'looks' aspect into their inventory(to avoid that dreaded, "I donot want to be seen in one") OR
SUVs bringing in 'mini van practicality' into their list of goodies.

As an example is the new Pilot, it is so damn close to everything that mini van does. But it still lacks something that the Odyssey have. Difficult to write, but those small easiness to every day tasks that the Odyssey offers, like the electric slide doors to let in the children in, without having to get out and open the doors.
And very little can beat the comfort of having the ability to, literally stand up and walk to the baby seat and change the diaper (of course while parked).